Colorado Christian University opened the 2014 NCCAA Central Region Volleyball Tournament with a bang Thursday, thundering past Oklahoma Wesleyan in three quick sets on the way to a 25-17, 25-13, 25-14 win.
 
Taking their cues from junior outside Taylor Sturms, CCU dominated their first pool-play match. Sturms turned in her best showing of the season – an 18-kill (.500) performance with only two errors from the pin. Remarkably, Sturms' offensive production meant for just five fewer kills than all OWU players combined (23).
 
Equally as impressive was Colorado Christian's team offense. The Cougar squad totaled 42 kills and a season-high .436 kill percentage. Of course, the dominance didn't end there. Defensively, OKWU struggled to keep up, tallying 20 digs and two blocks compared to 40 and five and a half from the Cougars. Joelle LeFevre led the blue and gold with 15 digs - an average of five per set.
 
Though the CCU numbers were notable across the board, the most striking statistic came in the second set. On their way to the most dominating game of the night, the Cougars flashed an efficiency that disallowed Oklahoma Wesleyan from earning a single point on serve. Their 100% sideout rate marked the best outing of the season for the Cougar squad.
 
Now 1-0 in tournament play and 19-13 on the year, Christian will return to action Friday for a 12:30 matinee against host McMurry University. Pool-play will conclude Friday evening at 6:30 as the Cougars take on Southwestern Assemblies of God University.